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Casa Blanca Lodge

Yucatan Peninsula
Ascension Bay


Casa Blanca Lodge, or simply, “Casa”, is the quintessential saltwater fishing lodge esteemed with more tradition and history than nearly any outfit in the business. Not only are the guides spectacular and the fishing amazing, but the feeling and atmosphere at the lodge is totally unique. It is hard to put it into words; however the bottom line with Casa Blanca is that everyone who visits simply has a ton of FUN!

Casa Blanca Lodge is located on a small private island approximately one hundred miles south of Cancun, Mexico on the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast. It is completely surrounded by the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a pristine nature reserve introduced and managed by the Mexican government covering over 1.3 million acres. Sandy beaches, mangrove lagoons, and dense tropical jungle dominate the coastal region of the southern Yucatan. The lodge is strategically located on southern point of Ascension Bay, a seemingly endless fishery. Extensive Mayan ruins in the area provide evidence of the once sprawling and powerful empire that once thrived in Central and South America. This is a beautiful, tropical paradise only a few hour’s travel from the southern U.S.

The area surrounding Casa Blanca is wild, virtually uninhabited and extraordinarily beautiful. There are miles of shallow bays, secluded mangrove-rimmed lagoons, white sand beaches, and dense coastal jungle. We love Casa Blanca because of its extraordinarily reliable and efficient service that meets the highest standards of all types of traveling anglers. Seriously hard-core anglers and demanding travelers alike continue to rebook Casa Blanca year after year. Texan owner, Bobby Settles, is an excellent fishing and business partner, as well as one of the best fishing lodge operators in the business.

Casa Blanca has earned its reputation as one of the best destinations in the Caribbean for excellent flats fishing for multiple species, a comfortable, clean, and unique facility, and first class guides and lodge service. Many of fly-fishing’s biggest celebrities, guides, and industry photographers will tell you there is perhaps no better choice for the all around flats fishing experience than Casa Blanca.


Lodge policy is very laid back as it relates to the daily schedule and routine. The guides will fish you early or late, as guests are free to set their own fishing schedule. The vast estuary/flats system and adjacent reef are the basis of Casa Blanca’s pristine and highly productive fishery. Bonefish and permit are seen daily cruising the flats around Casa Blanca, while the mangrove lagoons and endless backcountry are home to a wonderfully nursery system of tarpon and snook. This wonderful operation boasts of numerous “Grand Slams” and “Super Grand Slams” every season, and even the most novice anglers send us photos of their first permit from Casa Blanca. Miles upon miles upon miles of endless flats and mangrove lagoons surround the lodge that are teeming with every conceivable type of local gamefish. Casa Blanca's locality is perfectly situated in the middle of prime fishing habitat; so long runs are not often required to find fish. Depending upon which species you want to pursue, fishermen spend the day either wading hard bottomed flats for bones or poling deeper water in search of permit and tarpon. The lodge operates comfortable and well maintained Dolphin skiffs with reliable motors, poling platforms, and plenty of dry storage.

Yucatan bones are smaller in nature than your average Bahamian or Venezuelan copy; however are found in huge numbers, often tailing, in a very user-friendly environment. As mentioned, Casa Blanca has such a variety and versatile fishery that bones can be found year round. Anglers also have the choice of wading or fishing from the skiff. There are both hard and soft-bottomed flats in Ascension Bay, and anglers should be prepared to fish both while after bonefish.

The Yucatan’s permit population is enormous, healthy, and has some giant specimens. The guides at Casa Blanca are professionals with good “fishing English” and have the skills to consistently put novice and professional anglers on permit. The nature of the techniques used to catch Ascension Bay permit in deeper water with spawning and mantis shrimp patterns (in addition to traditional crab presentations) make Ascension Bay one of the easiest venues for successfully hooking and landing this elusive species. It is also hard not to mention that the world record, thirty-eight pound, permit was caught out of Casa Blanca a few years ago.

Although you should not consider Casa Blanca as an exclusive tarpon destination, there are zillions of juvenile “baby” tarpon in the vast backcountry lagoons in the area. A majority of these fish are residents which remain in the area throughout the year, providing anglers with consistent opportunities for completing the fabled Grand Slam. Adult migratory fish often busting the one hundred pound mark also begin to show up in the beginning of April and numbers will increase significantly through July. On “dead calm” days in May & June, the tarpon fishing on the Caribbean side of the lodge can be excellent.

There is a wide variety of underrated, under-fished species in Ascension Bay that will match the skill of the most sophisticated anglers. The snook fishing is certainly not to be overlooked, and barracuda are also at the top of the list of alternative species. This wonderfully fast species can be caught on the fly or with conventional spinning gear. In addition to cuda’ you will also find jacks, shark, and snapper.


The Casa Blanca facility is perfectly designed for having an excellent time with friends and other guests. After returning from a long day on the flats, reward yourself to a cool drink from the bar and enjoy some fresh ceviche or nachos under the palapa while sharing lies from the day on the water.

Casa Blanca holds a maximum of twenty-four guests in twelve double occupancy rooms. The grounds are incredibly well manicured, and the staff is very professional and hard working. Unlike many other tropical destinations, everything runs on time and is very efficient. The lodge manager, Tom, is a kind and entertaining Texan that caters to everyone's personal wants and needs. The restaurant is extremely casual, and cold Mexican beer and tequila are an integral part to the evening festivities! Meals are served indoors or on the palapa covered veranda per guest request. The menu features fresh seafood and regional specialties including snapper, conch, chicken, lobster, steak, and of course the notorious Mexican night. A choice of two entrees is offered at each meal and special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice. The bar is located inside the restaurant and offers indoor and outdoor service.

The lodge sits on a rocky point known to the locals as Punta Pajaros, and is the remodeled former staff quarters for coco plantation workers in the area. Each room has a different layout to accommodate to ones individual or group’s needs, and every room has a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea, traditional tiled floors, plenty of storage for gear, rods racks, excellent air conditioning and spacious baths. The lodge also boasts a one hundred yard long concrete pier. Under the lights at night you fill find cruising tarpon and permit. Some of the best fishing happens right off the pier under the lights after a few cocktails!

Casa Blanca’s facilities are extremely nice, and cater to nearly every type of traveling angler. However, if there are any non-anglers in your group, we strongly recommend you consider Casa’s sister lodge, Playa Blanca, as your destination. The level of service is equal and the type and style of fishing is identical, however Playa Blanca has a private beach for sunbathers and swimmers to enjoy.


24 Guests in 12 Shared Occupancy Rooms


Guests first start the adventure by traveling to Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is serviced by almost every major airline carrier, and is a direct flight from Dallas / Ft. Worth. Once in Cancun, guests are met by lodge representatives and transferred to the lodge on a fifty-minute flight via private air charter. Upon arrival at the lodge’s airstrip, guests are transferred five minutes by panga to Punta Pajaros and the familiar pier in front of Casa Blanca Lodge.

All guests should book flights to Cancun, Mexico. From there, Casa Blanca will provide an air charter which will fly you directly to the lodge. Guests making their own flight reservations must plan to arrive in Cancun on Saturday no later than 2:00 P.M. and schedule their return flight no earlier than 11:00 AM in order to make connections with the air charter.


Casa Blanca operates on weekly itineraries that begin and end on a Saturday. It is possible to reach the lodge in the same day as departure as well as reaching your home city within the same day the following Saturday. Shorter week itineraries are possible under some circumstances depending upon the lodge's schedule. Please inquire for details regarding short week itineraries.

Saturday:
Depart home city for Cancun, Mexico arriving no later than 2:00PM. Guests are then transferred to the General Aviation Terminal and flown fifty minutes to a private airstrip on the lodge property. There is no guided fishing on the arrival day.

Sunday-Friday:
Spend the next six days fishing and relaxing at Casa Blanca.

Saturday:
After breakfast, guests are transferred back to the airstrip and flown to Cancun, Mexico. Guests are than transferred back to the international terminal for the flight back to the U.S.

Note: Round-trip charter flight transfers to the lodge are included in full-week packages if your commercial flights arrive and depart from the Cancun airport on Saturday between 11 AM and 3 PM. All guests arriving or departing outside this window may be subject to a $400 transfer surcharge.


(January - June) (October - December)
* Lodge is closed July - September due to the tropical storm season

For the most part, guests should expect good fishing weather anytime the lodge is open and operating, with all standard species available and plentiful year round. When unfavorable weather does show up during the peak season spring/early summer months, it usually comes in the form of afternoon rain showers than don't last too long. For the most part, the southern Yucatan enjoys warm and humid temperatures and comfortable fishing conditions.

Due to the Yucatan's southern proximity, Casa Blanca and Playa Blanca relatively immune to winter weather blowing in from the north. Windier, cooler days are often more prevalent from December through March (late winter/early spring). A northerly breeze can leave some flats unprotected making boat runs a bit choppy, however these conditions usually don’t last long as easterly and southerly trade winds usually return quickly. By May and June, the bigger tarpon are in full effect, and there is usually less wind this time of year. After the area is rested throughout the summer hurricane season, Fall fishing at Casa or Playa Blanca can be some of the best of the year.


Although primarily a fishing destination, Casa Blanca does offer alternative activities such as guided snorkeling excursions and tours of several of the twenty-two archeological sites of Mayan ruins and temples found around the lodge. The lodge is an excellent place to escape civilization and relax in paradise!


2009 RATES

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing

Two Anglers per Boat / Room

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$4365 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$3545 per person

Single Angler per Boat / Room

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$5990 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$5230 per person

Non-Angler

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$3485 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$2750 per person

5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing

Two Anglers per Boat / Room

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$3495 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$2970 per person

Single Angler per Boat / Room

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$5070 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$4355 per person

Non-Angler

February 14 – May 30 ………………………………………….$3115 per person

(January 1 – February 14) (October 3 – December 31) (May 30 - July 4)
...........................$2480 per person

Note: Round-trip charter flight transfers to the lodge are included in full-week packages if your commercial flights arrive and depart from the Cancun airport on Saturday between 11 AM and 3 PM. All guests arriving or departing outside this window may be subject to a $860 transfer surcharge (divided by the number of passengers up to four max).


Six days of guided fishing; All meals; Seven nights double occupancy accommodations; Charter flight and ground transportation to lodge; Non-bottled beverages; Boat Beverages while fishing; Non-angling activities and unlimited use of recreational equipment; Mexican VAT tax


Commercial air to Cancun, Mexico; Alcoholic beverages; Bottled beverages including mineral water; Guide and staff gratuities; Laundry Service; Telephone calls; Departure Taxes


A fifty percent deposit is required at the time of booking in order to confirm all reservations. Final balance is due sixty days from departure. Casa Blanca requires written notice of cancellation at least 60 days prior to your departure to receive a refund of deposit less a $500 per person cancellation fee. Cancellation within 60 days will result in full loss of applicable land and commercial air costs- no refund will be made unless replacement clients are provided. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund and responsibility clauses.

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